Hundreds show generosity at Newington, Conn. Starbucks

Nearly 450 customers at a Connecticut Starbucks paid the order of another customer in drive-through line (Published Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014)

(NECN) - Hundreds of customers at a Connecticut Starbucks seemed to have voluntarily sparked a new Christmas tradition.

Since early Tuesday, nearly 450 customers passing through the Starbucks drive-through in Newington, Conn. had paid the coffee order for the person behind them in line. The actions were deemed "pay it forward."

"There's nothing like Christmas time to spread some Christmas cheer. And you never know, somebody could be having a horrible day, coming to get coffee, and then that little bit of something they didn't have to worry about. Something nice may just make their day that much better," said customer, Chris Barden.

An employee at the Starbucks says $45 was left over at day's end Wednesday. The first several orders on Thursday will be free.